Behind the Words: “Treat or Trick”

This is the first post I am making that will offer notes on the stories. In these posts, that go behind the words, I will offer comments about each individual story. I thought to start with my latest release “Treat or Trick.”

Click to read your copy now!

Of all the holidays, I seem to like writing Halloween themed stories. This is perhaps not so surprising given gay history and how deeply the Halloween holiday has resonated within the community. In fact, next year’s story is already written. So, next fall, look for “Diesel Desire.” But, for now, I will offer some notes about “Treat or Trick.” This story has been well received, and so far, it has gone as high as number 7 on the Amazon ranking for its category.

In this story, I wanted to play with hook ups that happen on the fly, the ones that happen so quickly you might miss them if you are not quick on your feet. This is what happens to Rick. After having been away on a trip, he returns home and back to the workaday grind. He is tired and still so distracted by vacation energy he forgets it is Halloween evening. He is reminded of this when he returns home, and this is how the story opens.

Approaching his apartment building, Rick became uneasy, for the front door was open. His city sense was piqued, for an unattended open door could mean there was reason to be cautious. He could discern the telltale signs of a break-in, so he proceeded carefully. Ascending the steps, his wariness waned when he saw the door was propped open by a pumpkin. Its stem had been removed and replaced with a long black candle. Instead of a carved-out face, its front was covered with black writing. The black taper’s flame flickered over the words: Candy 3rd Floor.

Rick is as surprised by the decorations as he is by the holiday itself, so he remains flustered as he makes his way up the stairs to his apartment. Then, he is caught off guard when he encounters a sailor on the stairs. This is when that moment happens, that chance moment when you encounter someone who is interested in you, and their interest holds the promise of sex. These moments come unbidden. They come fast, and if you are not quick enough, they slip away just as quickly, leaving you frustrated by the missed opportunity. Rick almost misses his opportunity, but then, he realizes the chance he was just presented with:

He recalled the sailor’s flirty greeting. Fearing that his usual state of horniness was playing tricks on his mind, he resisted drawing a randy conclusion. No, he couldn’t have meant to suggest that. He might even be straight, and I’m totally misreading an inadvertently placed hand. He couldn’t have meant my kind of trick. Yet, he was in a sailor’s uniform—a sailor’s uniform! Nowadays, who other than a Village Person trying to relive the glory days would choose that for a Halloween costume? And, he did ask, “treat or trick”? Hearing the sailor’s phrasing once again, he noticed the emphasis that had been placed on the final word. This was punctuated by the hand dipping below the beltline: Yes, he meant my kind of trick.

Here, Rick decides he will not miss out, and he frames a plan for seizing the moment.

In this story, I also wanted to play with the sense of the body and how the line between clothes and costumes is thinner than we tend to think.

Glancing at the mirror, he liked what he saw. The shirt pulled across his high and tight pecs and stretched over his torso as it narrowed toward his waist. Turning slightly, he saw why he used to wear this shirt so often; it hugged his chest and gave way in just the right places to reveal his fairly ample bulge and the hard curve of his backside. He had worked hard for this curvature, so when he was in this mood, he chose clothing that highlighted his efforts at the gym. The aged jeans made his ass shapely. It was made more alluring by a strategic rip that revealed a crescent of skin. Grateful for all the time spent tanning that summer, he liked how the faded denim complemented his browned skin.

Ready to act on the sailor’s daring flirtation, Rick suits up, but was the sailor offering a treat or a trick? Read “Treat or Trick” now to find out. If the story meets with your favor, please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing news about it at your favorite web space to discuss books.